Police are heaping praise on Pōrangahau Beach locals for their swift response to a swimmer in distress on Sunday afternoon.
The swimmer, a 13-year-old male with limited swimming ability, had been playing in surf on a boogie board when he was swept out to sea by a rip, which took him approximately 500m before he was seen waving his arms for help.
While rescuers raced to get boats in the water, one local resident swam out with a boogie board and reached the swimmer and was able to bring him ashore.
Senior Constable Andy Walker said the boy was hypothermic, exhausted and had swallowed a lot of water.